Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

During Monday’s Hogansville City Council meeting, Charon Prophet with Pioneer Georgia Elevation Youth Academy gave updates to the council on the after-school program. 

“Currently, we are serving around 105 to 110 kids,” Prophet said. “Ages range from pre-k to fifth grade, and we are covering things with them such as homework. We are working hand-in-hand with [Principal Gina] Turner at the elementary school for any struggles some of the students may have.” 

The academy has certified teachers working with students that come in the afternoon. 

“So far, it definitely has been growing,” Prophet said. “We have parents coming to the academy daily wanting to sign their kids up.” 

Pioneer Georgia Elevation Youth Academy is located on 401 Granite Street in Hogansville. Prophet said you can get more information about the after-school program by dropping by any day during the week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

“On a typical day kids usually arrive around 2:15 p.m.,” Prophet said. “The buses with Troup County come by and drop them off. We have two buses right now. The first bus brings pre-k through third grade.” 

Starting this week, each child in the after-school program will receive a full, hot meal. 

“Fourth and fifth grade come on the second bus and then all grades begin a rotation,” Prophet said. “Each grade has their own classroom. You have teachers in there as well. They rotate throughout the day in classes like PE and health. We do arts every day and will begin music. Next week, we have a gentleman who will be teaching chess.” 

Prophet said they are also in the process of planning a summer program for children who are age five through middle school. 

“It will be seven weeks and start at seven in the morning,” Prophet said. “That will also be a destination to feed the children [in the community] up to age 18.” 

The academy has a cap of only being able to take in 150 students. 

“We are happy to have this organization in place,” Mayor Bill Stankiewicz said. “If we can’t take care of our kids, we can’t do anything. It’s the most critical need in our community.”